Tree Planting / Pruning / Removal

Homeowners and business owners are responsible for the maintenance of street trees located within the right-of-way adjacent to their properties. For proper maintenance techniques, contact Steve Brennan with Urban Forestry at (503) 526-2206 or Pat Hoff at (503) 526-2237.

We encourage all home/business owners to become familiar with their street trees and to contact the City if there are any questions or problems. Our Frequently Asked Questions page will help with some general topics including tree permits and regulations.

Water young street trees (planted 2 years or less) at least once a week with approximately 15 gallons of water.

Remove the tree stakes from young trees after the first year. Tree stake ties will prohibit proper growth if not removed.

Don’t dump landscape materials into the street. During heavy rain events it will wash into the inlets and plug the water’s way, which could cause flooding.

Tree Pruning the Basic Cuts

It is important to prune your tree the right way, the health of the tree depends on it. Whether you are training a tree to grow a certain way when it is young or removing dead branches. If you cut them the proper way it will heal better and be less susceptible to problems, such as: Cutting too close into the branch collar will cause the tree to not heal over correctly and may cause a cavity to form over time; also cutting too far away from the branch collar will cause a branch stub which will prevent the tree from healing over the part of the branch left over. Below is a diagram of the three-cut method that will insure that a proper cut has been made.

First make a bottom cut to prevent peeling of bark down the side of the tree trunk.

Then cut off the bulk of the branch.

Last step is to cut off the remaining stub at the branch collar; this enables the tree to compartmentalize over the wound.

If these instructions are followed your tree will be in good health and after time the cut will no longer be noticeable. This is the basic technique for removing small 1 ½ inch to 4 inch branches. Branches less than 1 inch may only require one cut, And branches over 4 inches may require many other cuts further out on the limb to remove more end weight prior to finishing with step 3. For more info and links to ISA visit the city of Beaverton website.

Planting Trees?

Call the Landscape / Urban Forestry Section at (503) 526-2206 or (503) 526-2237 to report a problem or obtain additional information. Use Online Report a Problem Form to report a problem directly to the Public Works Department.

Leaves!

Leaf removal is an important part of City landscaping to avoid slippery sidewalks and flooded street drains. City crews sweep and shovel up as much as possible, but it's important for Beaverton residents to do their part; please avoid blowing/raking leaves into the public paths and streets. Deposit leaves into the yard debris bin provided by Waste Management and take advantage of Beaverton's Leaf disposal services (see leaf disposal dates).